Dates

January 14–20, 2019

Ati-Atihan Festival Featured in

Every Filipino awaits the Ati-Atihan festival as one of the most exciting events of the year. It is held every January in the town of Kalibo, Aklan, as a way to honour Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). Despite its religious background, the festival is very colourful and full of entertainment. According to history, Aetas or Ati were the primary settlers of the islands of the Philippines. The festival usually includes tribal dancing and traditional music, performed by people wearing indigenous costumes and weapons. Also, there is a huge parade along the streets. Still, a key activity of the festival is the music of rhythmic and mesmerising drums, which plays nonstop for several days.